The Portland Thunder continued to add to their 2016 roster on Wednesday, with head coach Andy Olson announcing the assignment of free agent offensive lineman Mark Jackson.

With Jackson's assignment, Portland has made a total of thirteen acquisitions during the first five days of free agency, including the arrivals of veteran wide receivers Rashaad Carter and Nick Truesdell, and the retention of veterans KC Obi, Jamar Howard, and All-Arena center John Collins.

Jackson (6-6, 325, Glenville State) will enter his third season of AFL play with the Thunder in 2016. Mark originally began his AFL career with the Spokane Shock, signing on January 9, 2014. Jackson made 15 appearances for the Shock over the 2014 and 2015 seasons, starting in each of those games.

"Having worked with Mark over the last two seasons, I've seen that he can be as consistent as any of the top linemen in this league," Olson said. "Being a third year guy, we'll expect him to give our quarterbacks time."

A Rivals four-star prep recruit, Jackson committed to the University of Illinois, where he redshirted in 2008, but transferred to the College of DuPage the following year. Mark played one season for the Chaparrals, before transferring again to Glenville State, where he would finish his collegiate career.

Jackson earned first-team All-WVIAC honors playing left tackle for the Pioneers in 2010, 2011 and 2012, while also being named the fifth best small school prospect by Bleacher Report prior to the 2013 NFL Draft. Mark was later signed by the Minnesota Vikings, and participated in off-season camps in 2013 before joining Spokane.